Microsoft SharePoint is a software system that is installed on Microsoft Windows Server, with Microsoft SQL Server as the database behind it. The purpose is to provide a web-based system for sharing files and information in a way that does not require knowledge of any computer language. While programmers can certainly extend the basic functionality of SharePoint, alone it provides a wealth of tools to create sophisticated web sites. These intranet and even extranet sites allow for information to be published for a broad audience, as well as providing a mechanism for groups large and small to collaborate on a single project or the administration of an entire organization.
SharePoint combines various functions which are traditionally separate applications: intranet, extranet, content management, document management, personal cloud, enterprise social networking, enterprise search, business intelligence, workflow management, web content management, etc.